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October 4, 2013, 11:18 am

Ronald S

Question: Why does my 97 Buick Lesabre only start when I press the brake?

Hello,

I have a 97 Buick leSabre Custom. I bought it like 4 months ago. I drove to vegas from san jose area which is like 1500 miles, and it runs great. Last week, I started having an issue when I turned the car on and put it in drive, the car would stall or try stalling most of the time, sometimes it would just go. If i put the car in reverse, it wouldn't stall, but as soon as I put it in drive right after I start it. Now, once it was moving it was good. I could pull up at the store, leave the car running, and come out and drive off no issue. Three days ago, i was about o leave work and when i tried to turn the key, it wouldn't do anything. I decided to push the break the next day when I started it, and it started up. it did the same thing when I pput it in drive though where it would stall or try to, but once its going, it's fine until I turn it off again. I have no clue what this could be. Every mechanic I call gives me a different diagnosis. I don't wast to pay for something when I can't get a rough idea. I was told neutral safety switch, steering column, electrical in the column, head gaskets, transmission, etc. Can someone please give me a better idea, maybe if they have had this happen before.

You could have two different problems. It could be the ignition switch or it could be the transmission. But you need to have it tested. No one can just say it's this on your problem. It's not a cut a dry issue.

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